Oregano is located in The Market area in Ottawa. The food was very over prices for little quality or quantity. Unfortunately, a friend who had the shrimp and paste found herself sick by the end of it. Usually, I love Italian and was disappointed that this restaurant did a such poor job. But a point in it's favor, the exterior and interior design for the restaurant is very interesting. However the service was good and the waitress was pleasant and attentive. Although, she did do something I found very odd. When we were paying our bill the waitress pulled out her wallet ( with bus ticket and ID in it ) at the table and put the money we pay in her wallet and gave us change from her wallet. I've never experience this before and I'm not sure if that is normal in Ottawa.

If you don't want to be disappointed by the food I would recommend you NOT go to Oregano.
I was disappointed that I didn't read the chick advisor warning about this restaurant before wasting money there.

I've been to Oregano's about 3 or 4 times, and though i've never had a bad experience, i've never had a very good one either. I find it's just a few steps up from fast food. If you want cheap italian, East Side Marios is better than this joint.

This is probably the worst place that I have ever eaten at in Ottawa. It took forever to get served here; and I mean forever! It wasn't like there was nobody working either. I saw at least six waitresses just standing around outside gabbing about nothing. It wasn't really that busy there, so there is just no excuse for that.

When I asked for a Pepsi/Coke they brought me this tiny drinking glass that was almost full. It was also room temperature. In the summer, that isn't very thirst quenching to me. Also, it was around the same average price that you would pay for a much larger glass at Kelsey's or Boston Pizza for that little bitty cup. I can't even remember what I ordered, but it took the waitress forever to get back to us so that we could order. Then it felt like the food was never going to get there. It was the longest that I have ever waited in a half-empty restaurant. Pathetic. The food wasn't anything to shout about either. It was just kind of slapped together and not very hot either. Everything cost way more than it should have. It was like they were using average price points or more, but giving you so much less for your money. That's just ridiculous to me!

The only reason it gets any business is because 1) it's right in the Byward Market and 2) It's in the background of Speaker's Corner, so it's like free advertising for them.

If you're visiting and you saw this place on Speaker's Corner or you just happen to walk by don't go in! You'll be so disappointed! I was actually tempted to dine and dash (which I never ever do!) because this place was so horrible! Never again.